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She can pretty much be outfitted for several different missions. RAM is only a portable armament. It is not mission dependant and can be changed anytime they wish while in port or dry dock. So long as they protect the deck and superstructure with blast shielding they could also possibly mount Harpoons as well. All weight dependant. We should also keep in mind her purpose, rivers and waterways primarily. Hence the rapid fire guns.

The new 127 meter long Independence Class LCS will provide a platform for intelligence gathering, employ surface (anti-ship) and land attacks precision weapons, and operate manned and unmanned aerial and surface vehicles (UAV/USV).

Right, but as has been mentioned this is the NLOS missile system. Probably more than capable of destroyer small boats and non-hardened land targets, but not much good against a real warship. That's not her real mission though, fair enough, but again, what's the status of the NLOS system? Is the Navy going to continue development now that Future Combat Systems has been scrapped?

Originally Posted by Dreadnought

She can pretty much be outfitted for several different missions. RAM is only a portable armament. It is not mission dependant and can be changed anytime they wish while in port or dry dock. So long as they protect the deck and superstructure with blast shielding they could also possibly mount Harpoons as well. All weight dependant. We should also keep in mind her purpose, rivers and waterways primarily. Hence the rapid fire guns.

Harpoons would be useful. Still no ESSM which I think is a big flaw in these designs. I suppose you could mount a Mk 48 launcher similar to what we have on the Halifax-class, but the Mk 41 isn't exactly a system you can plug in and out.

How in the hell are you going to sail a 115-127 meter long ship up a river?

Right, but as has been mentioned this is the NLOS missile system. Probably more than capable of destroyer small boats and non-hardened land targets, but not much good against a real warship. That's not her real mission though, fair enough, but again, what's the status of the NLOS system? Is the Navy going to continue development now that Future Combat Systems has been scrapped?

Harpoons would be useful. Still no ESSM which I think is a big flaw in these designs. I suppose you could mount a Mk 48 launcher similar to what we have on the Halifax-class, but the Mk 41 isn't exactly a system you can plug in and out.

How in the hell are you going to sail a 115-127 meter long ship up a river?

*In essence even the Harpoon is overkill for the ship. Its not her job, her job as being a "Littorial" combat ship in being is in close deterrence aided by the two helos aboard. Neither is combating another surface ship of naval origin. She is not protected enough for such engagements and her rocket/missle capability will more then likely be "by the box" or deployment package containers. One major thing to keep in mind is that she is aluminum and steel, when aluminum burns (say from rocket propellant) it releases chlorine gas. Not a good thing.

*How you ask? Look at her sea trials and you will see just how agile the ship is. It has gas turbine/diesel and water jets to assist in manuvering.

I'm sure this has been discussed on here before but i'm new to the board. Why did the Freedom Class use the 21 cell RAM installation and the Independence used the 11 cell SeaRAM? What are the benefits of each? I believe this is the first use of SeaRAM aboard a USN ship.

Her Aluminum-heavy construction is a major drawback for the Independence. Regardless of what it releaseses when it burns, it still burns. One would think the USN learned it's lesson after the Belknap disaster - something caused by human error, not combat. Attachment 16440

Her Aluminum-heavy construction is a major drawback for the Independence. Regardless of what it releaseses when it burns, it still burns. One would think the USN learned it's lesson after the Belknap disaster - something caused by human error, not combat. Attachment 16440

Only way your steering that ship is from either forward steerage below or the rudder room.